Heights council to look at gun range ordinance

HARKER HEIGHTS — Within two years, local gun owners might be able to shoot long guns and handguns bigger than .46 calibers in an indoor shooting range on Lookout Ridge Boulevard.

Following up on a May workshop, the City Council on Tuesday considered eliminating Harker Heights’ 0.46 maximum caliber requirement for indoor gun ranges, while demanding projectiles stay inside buildings and no shots be “plainly audible” off range property.

Andersen Schoel Office Interiors owner J.C. Schoel is planning to open an indoor range, gun shop and food space adjacent to his current business in about 15 to 18 months, he said. He’d like to accommodate long guns.

“I think we’re moving in that direction,” Schoel said.

Police Chief Mike Gentry recently stood near two indoor shooting ranges, hearing louder shots outside Red’s in Pflugerville than he did outside College Station’s Champion Firearms, he said. Red’s was built before Pflugerville annexed it, when range standards were less specific.